to (not) choose a new doctor because receptionist is a dragon? (long)

[oopslateagain]

More of a WWYD, really. I want to change to a new surgery. Our town has 3 doctors surgeries within walking distance of our house. Our current local one is really convenient but I've been a bit about our doctor, every time I've gone in there he's basically asked what I think is wrong, then asked what I'd like him to do, then gone ahead and done it. I really have absolutely no confidence in him. I've seen the other doctor in the practice a couple of times and she's much better, but about 2 months ago all we could see were locums. I asked last week where our doctors were and all the receptionist would say was that they were on 'extended leave'.

There is another doctor very local to us who is supposed to be very good, my mum and dad and some friends go to him. But I went in to ask if we could change and the receptionist looked at me like I was something she'd just stepped in, and snapped "You need to talk to the practice manager". I said, well can I please speak to the practice manager?, and she turned away and said something. I asked (politely!) if she could repeat it and she turned back to me and glared and said "he's not here you'll have to come back" and then walked off into another part of the office! I asked around and basically everyone says this particular receptionist is a right dragon, never polite, always treats patients like they are a nuisance.

One of my friends goes to the third doctor in our town, the furthest one from us, and she says that they are mostly OK, one doctor is apparently just like ours, pretty useless; one doctor ALWAYS gives antibiotics for everything 'just in case', and the third doctor is really good. And the receptionist is nice

I'd like to join the second doctor's surgery as everyone seems to think the doctor is the mutt's nutts , but I'm sure I'd end up having a row with the receptionist. I'm not known for keeping my mouth shut...

The third surgery looks like the best option but is a 20 minute walk away. If my asthma is bad I can walk to either of the first two surgeries easily but would have to get a lift to the third one, not always easy (or quick).

Does your tame doctor do Valium?

What's the name of the surgery?

He probably would if I asked him!

Not telling. So there.

The OP could have been me! Recently moved about 3 miles from one side of town to the other. I don't drive so figure I probably need a new doctor. There's one in this village and one in the next but nearer than where I lived before IYKWIM.

Rang the number I found on Google for the nearest surgery, got a rollocking for ringing the Appointments line. So I rang the right number and said I wanted to register and could my son see the doc? Was told to bring all this ID and proof of address and no, can't register and have an appointment at the same time. Against surgery policy apparently. Grrr!

Then I discovered that this surgery is in a group with two others which I've always thought looked dodgy...

So I think I will register with the other one that's about 1.5 miles away, but only one bus per hour

What is it with doctors asking you what you think is wrong and what do you want them to do? I've had a couple say this to me and I did say to one that I didn't know as they were the doctor! Really really irritating.
Go for the 2nd surgery and just ignore the receptionist being bitchy. The doctor being good is the most important thing really not how friendly the receptionist is.

One of my Drs receptionist is a right bitch. She seems to really resent working there - there are two surgeries and she has to work both. The other is in a posh village and mine is next to a council estate and she clearly despises the 'common folk'!

I try to be overly nice but I'm sure I'll snap soon! When myself and DH registered she was so rude. He is black, and before he even opened his mouth she started slowly reading and explaining all the qeustions to him then kept saying, 'you need to fill in what date you arrived in the country. Make sure you put the date you came into the country, that is very important.' She hadn't even asked if he was British! Knob.

Anyway, don't let an idiot put you off a good Dr. Hopefully they will all have online booking and computer check in anyway soon!

I don't think I'd be put off by a dragon receptionist at this stage, I would simply ask to register at the new practice (which means filling in a form, practice are allowed to reject you if their list is full or you're not in their catchment area). Practice 2 sounds like the right one for you, maybe see how it goes for now.

Bugger. I was hoping you'd all tell me to go to the 'nice' 3rd option.

I know the receptionist can 'run' a surgery and I'm a bit worried that I'll call her on her rudeness, would that be a problem with sorting out appointments, tests, letters etc? I mean, I know how to be polite but I also won't stand for someone being blatantly rude to me. I only ignored it when I met her for the first time because anyone can have a bad day, i didn't realise it was her 'normal' personality.

There is now space at nhs online to put feedback about doctors surgeries, there re some like this that have complaintes about receptionists on

I have never met a doctor's receptionist who is polite, kind, understanding, helpful and doesn't treat you like it's a great effort to answer your questions or that you are not greatly interfering with her day by wanting to book an appointment.

Shiny I have - the ones at my surgery at all of those things, and the doctors are ace too. Which is why when I last moved house, staying within the surgery catchment area was waay more important to us than school catchment areas:)

libelulle!